Sova is a charity that works in the heart of communities in England and Wales to help people steer clear of crime and to live healthier lives. They do this by being on the side of those in difficult situations to try and help them make better choices, to help them stay out of trouble and build better lives.

Mentor for Young People – Sova need volunteers to take part in the Nottingham Mentoring Service that work alongside Nottingham Family Intervention Project, to help children and teenagers between the ages of 8 and 18 deal with the challenges of being in Nottingham and socially isolated, trying to find positive activities to help increase self-esteem, these can include getting them in local sports/social clubs and every now and then allowing a treat such as Planet Bounce.

You’ll be matched with a young person based on interests and experience – for example if you are interested in sports or art, to allow ease of rapport building.

This opportunity is available across Nottingham and Derby.

Mentor to an Ex Offender – As a SOVA mentor you will be matched with an ex-offender within the community, making a difference to their life by offering practical support. This may include helping to fill out application forms, researching college courses or social groups, making phone calls on their behalf, attending appointments with them when they feel too scared to go alone or simply offering a listening ear and being there when others don’t have the time.

SOVA also work in the prisons themselves, and your role could include meeting a prisoner coming towards the end of their sentence with a view to mentoring them upon release. You would be helping to meet the clients at the prison gate when they are released, and support them to access key services like accommodation and claiming benefits as well as attending probation appointments. If interested, you could also provide support in the Magistrate’s court, helping clients to understand the conditions of their sentencing and licencing.

Mentor for Young People - You can volunteer Monday – Sunday, morning, afternoon and evening.

It is best to meet your mentee once fortnightly in order to maintain a good relationship, and for them to benefit from your help as much as possible, but during busy periods such as exams, the charity can be flexible – as long as any changes are communicated in advance.

Mentor to an Ex-offender – You can volunteer Monday – Saturday, morning and afternoon.

The minimum commitment is 2 hours per week for a period of 6 months.

The 'Mentor for Young People' role takes place across Nottingham and Derby.

The 'Mentor to an Ex-Offender' takes place at HMP Nottingham, HMP Ranby, and other various locations across the city.

Click on the ‘Register Your Interest’ button below.

The SVC will send you the details of the relevant staff member at the charity, who will send you an application form.

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited in for an interview.

You will be asked to provide two references for this role. This could be a tutor, boss from a part-time job or previous work experience, a college/sixth form teacher or anyone else who is not related to you and knows you in a professional capacity.

Full certa accredited training is given (for both roles), which must be completed prior to volunteering.

A second interview (more like an informal chat) will be given after the training, to check that you are still committed to the role.

You’ll need a DBS check for both roles, the cost of which is absorbed by the charity. Whilst the DBS check is processed, there will be the opportunity to shadow staff, to familiarise yourself with the role.

Mentor to a Young Person – Travel, either with your own car or by bus/tram and all activity costs (food etc) are reimbursed on a fortnightly or monthly basis. Volunteer supervisions take place every 6-8 weeks to see how you and the mentee are getting on, but a support worker is always in hand daily to help, and there are also some group support sessions too, to allow sharing of experiences and to get to know other mentors.

Mentor to an Ex-offender – Travel and refreshments are reimbursed on a weekly or monthly basis. A full, clean driving license is desirable but not essential. You'll receive 1-1 support, and also the opportunity to attend team meetings with staff and other volunteers.